Abstract: Disclosed is a process of fueling a rocket engine or air-breathing engine for a hypersonic vehicle with a high performance hydrocarbon fuel characterized by a hydrogen content greater than 14.3% by weight, a hydrogen to carbon atomic ratio greater than 2.0 and/or a heat of combustion greater than 18.7 KBtu/lb. The disclosed fuels generally have a paraffin content that is at least 90% by mass and a C12-C20 isoparaffin content of at least 40% by mass.

Abstract: A precise, slow burning, pyrotechnic delay composition composed of a ternary system of from about 8 to about 55 weight percent B4C fuel, 35 to about 82 weight percent NalO4 oxidizer, and PTFE which acts as a pyrotechnic oxidizer and lubricant—such that the resulting composition has surprisingly good mechanical properties, i.e. it can be pressed to a desirably high consolidated density with ordinary loading force, and with minimal wear on the tooling used for pressing.

Abstract: An insensitive melt-cast explosive composition incorporating on the one hand a meltable part formed of at least one meltable explosive and, on the other hand, a solid part incorporating oxynitrotriazole (ONTA) and cyclonite (RDX). This composition is characterised in that the cyclonite is a cyclonite of reduced sensitivity, the particle size of the insensitive cyclonite being of between 315 micrometers and 800 micrometers, whereas the particle size of the ONTA is of between 200 micrometers and 400 micrometers, the ONTA further having an apparent density greater than or equal to 0.95 g/cm3. The invention is applied to the loading of projectiles by casting.

Abstract: Gas-generating compositions and methods for their use are provided. Metal complexes are used as gas-generating compositions. These complexes are comprised of a metal cation template, a neutral ligand containing hydrogen and nitrogen, and sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the complex. The complexes are formulated such that when the complex combusts, nitrogen gas and water vapor is produced. Specific examples of such complexes include metal nitrite amine, metal nitrate amine, and metal perchlorate amine complexes, as well as hydrazine complexes. A binder and co-oxidizer can be combined with the metal complexes to improve crush strength of the gas-generating compositions and to permit efficient combustion of the binder. Such gas-generating compositions are adaptable for use in gas-generating devices, such as automobile air bags.

Abstract: A propellant charge, a priming cap including the propellant charge and a weapons training system including the priming cap are characterized in that the propellant charge contains a soft friction agent. The propellant charge can contain at least one impact-sensitive explosive substance as a heavy-metal-free priming compound, and the soft friction agent can be marble, calcite, dolomite, soft carbonates and/or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A gas generating composition exhibiting good slag forming ability is provided. The gas generating composition includes a fuel ranging from 10 to 60% by mass, an oxidizing agent ranging from 10 to 70% by mass, and a cooling agent (other than iron oxide) ranging from 1 to 20% by mass. The cooling agent has a volume mean diameter (D50) of 10 to 70 ?m and a volume mean diameter at cumulative of 10% (D10) of equal to or greater than 5 ?m. The cooling agent acts to decrease the combustion temperature and improve slag forming ability.

Abstract: An auto ignition composition is provided that contains a sugar and/or carboxylic acid such as DL-tartaric acid as a first fuel; a binder; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal chlorate such as potassium chlorate as a first oxidizer. Alkali metal perchlorates such as potassium perchlorate may also be included as a second oxidizer. The composition(s) is typically contained within a gas generating system such as an airbag inflator or seat belt assembly, or more broadly within a vehicle occupant protection system. The compositions may also be applied to the insides of military armament.

Abstract: Method for decommissioning a body containing explosive material includes opening the body containing explosive material in a secured and/or currentless state, and cutting individual bodies along a cutting plane into at least two parts in a liquid by one or more cutting processes to expose the main charge carriers intact in the respective individual bodies for removal without destruction. Method further includes removing main charge carrier essentially intact while still in the liquid from the individual bodies, and transferring the main charge carrier to a container, structured and arranged to store each individual main charge carrier free from contact with other main charge carriers, and which includes a material that is absorbent for liquids. Method further includes feeding the container with the main charge carriers to an incineration process and grinding all of the other parts of the individual bodies in a grinding process to produce ground material.

Abstract: An explosive material in the form of a cocrystal comprising 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20 or HNIW) and at least one energetic material. The energetic material is selected from 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), and 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane (HMX).

Abstract: Provided is an ionic liquid (IL) having anions and cations with a metalohydride in the IL of borohydrides and/or aluminum hydrides, as fuel and a choice of one or more oxidizers, which fuel and oxidizer have hypergolic tendencies.

Abstract: A novel composition containing a bi-tetrazole having a primary tetrazole ring substituted or connected to a second tetrazole ring by an aliphatic bridge such as an ethyl or ethylene bridge. The composition may be contained within a gas generator as a gas generating composition when combined with an oxidizer such as phase stabilized ammonium nitrate. The gas generator may be contained within a gas generating system such as an airbag inflator or seat belt assembly, or more broadly within a vehicle occupant protection system.

Abstract: The pyrotechnic smoke kit for generating a smoke screen comprises a mixture of a light-metal powder as the metallic reduction agent; potassium nitrate and, optionally, potassium perchlorate as the main oxidation agent; at least one carbonate as an additional auxiliary oxidation agent; substances splitting off nitrogen as combustion moderators and at least one sublimable and/or evaporable non-toxic smoke-forming substance. A stabilizer from the group of aliphatic and/or aromatic dicarboxylic acids is added to the mixture of the smoke kit to stabilize the smoke kit. Due to this, the formation of gaseous ammonia in the smoke kit can be prevented.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high performance hydrocarbon fuel characterized by a hydrogen content greater than 14.3% by weight, a hydrogen to carbon atomic ratio greater than 2.0 and/or a heat of combustion greater than 18.7 KBtu/lb. The disclosed fuels generally have a paraffin content that is at least 90% by mass and a C12-C20 isoparaffin content of at least 40% by mass.

Abstract: In order to provide a method of manufacturing an aluminum flake pigment having a small mean particle size as well as high brightness, a method of manufacturing an aluminum flake pigment including a step of flaking aluminum powder in an organic solvent with a grinder having grinding media, which grinding media contain steel ball grinding media formed by spherical media consisting of a material including steel and having diameters in the range of 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm, is provided. The mean particle size (D50Al) of this aluminum powder is preferably in the range of 1.0 to 10.0 ?m. Further, this grinder is preferably a ball mill.

Abstract: The invention is a composition for a high burning-rate solid rocket propellant, where the composition includes a binder compounded with a soluble energetic additive; a metallic fuel; and an oxidative fuel. The resulting composition has a tactical Class 1.3 hazard rating, and a linear regression rate that is substantially equivalent to a tactical Class 1.1 hazard rating obtainable using solid rocket propellants. The composition may include a heat-conducting element, a plasticizer, a curing component, a combustion catalyst, and curing catalyst.

Abstract: Reduced toxicity fuels containing hydrocarbons having both strained rings and internal, conjugated triple bonds are disclosed. The fuels described herein are hypergolic with nitrogen tetroxide and/or inhibited red fuming nitric acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for explosively dispersing particles of reactive metals into the atmosphere to form a fuel-air explosive. Also, this invention relates to a composition, which enhances the performance of metal augmented charge (MAC) devices. The metal augmented charge (MAC) includes flaked aluminum powder and polytetrafluorethylene. The MAC is pressed into solid billets. A preferred embodiment of the present invention involves a system with heavy-walled warhead, which comprises a canister and a cylinder of MAC disposed in the canister, so that said cylinder is in contact with the interior wall of the canister. Further, a high explosive is disposed in the cylinder with a fuze in direct contact with the high explosive, in such a way that the fuze detonates the high explosive.

Abstract: A composition capable of producing either solid propellant grains, liquid or gel monopropellants, all of which are electrically ignitable and capable of sustained controllable combustion at ambient pressure. Additional compositions capable of sustained controllable combustion at elevated pressures are described. Applications for the compositions disclosed herein are provided, and include among other applications use in small micro thrusters, large core-burning solid propellant gains, shaped explosives charges for military application, and pumpable liquids and gel monopropellants or explosives for military, commercial mining or gas and oil recovery. In alternative embodiments the above compositions may also incorporate an energetic nitrate polymer, bum rate modifiers, and/or metal fuel(s). The HIPEP formulation makes it possible to ignite and sustain combustion at ambient and vacuum conditions (a) without continuous electrical power and (b) while providing faster bum rates.

Abstract: A method for processing explosives containing a high loading of CL-20 may advantageously include a binder system having naphthenic oil and/or paraffinic oil. Solid energetic ingredients are added into the binder system and mixed to form a free-flowing suspension in which the solid energetic ingredients are homogeneously mixed and coated with the binder system. The binder system is then cured and cast to form a cross-linked explosive.

Abstract: A binary exploding target package, a process of forming an exploding target from the contents of the binary exploding target package, and the exploding target formed therefrom. The binary exploding target package includes a first, target container and a second container. An oxidizer composition is contained within one of the containers and a catalyst composition is contained within the other container. An exploding target is formed by mixing the oxidizer and catalyst compositions, and introducing the mixture into the target container to form an exploding target just prior to using the exploding target as a target for a shooting exercise.